Sat, 14 Sep 2013

Day Five of the Cycling the Erie Canalway Tour. A metric century day. Found
the Elmira and Cortland Branch bridge abutments over the Erie Canal on the
east side of Canastota. Went east off-trail to Hubbard Place to find a place
where three railroad bridges crossed Cowelson Creek within 120 meters of each
other. Two of the bridges remain, as do the abutments of the third. They were,
from north to south, the New York Central, the West Shore Railroad, and some
trolley line whose name I do not know.

On the way out of Oneida, I rode a little bit on the New York Central, just
to the bridge over the New York, Ontario & Western. Climb down onto the
latter and rode it north. They've had substantial erosion on that trail. Seems
to be unmaintained, sadly. Would make a nice trail, if a bit short.

Followed the O&W north until it diverged away. Found the 1877 Oneida
Lake Canal on the north side of the Erie Canal, then went back on the trailway
route. There's an O&W bridge a bit south of Foster Corners Road, but it's
too brushy to get back to it wearing bicycle shorts. Have to come back in the
early spring before the brush gets growing, wearing pants.

Went off-route again to find the 1835 Oneida Lake Canal. It lasted for
almost 30 years until it finally fell into disrepair, prompting the creation
of the later Oneida Lake Canal, which was an abject failure, being built on
quicksand, so it constantly sprung leaks. Almost no boats transited this canal
for the single year it was in operation.

Yet Again, I got into Rome too late to see any part of the Erie Canal
Museum. Barely had time to watch a bit of their introductary video. Rode into
town, made camp, stopped into Fort Stanwyx, had dinner, and hit the sack.